(VERNON, Connecticut) – The Town of Vernon and Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN) will host daily COVID-19 vaccination clinics beginning Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Rockville General Hospital.
Vaccinations are by appointment only for eligible recipients. No walk-ins will be accepted.
The clinic will be open Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thereafter, the clinics will be open weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Following current public health guidelines, vaccinations for the general public are only approved for people age 75 and older.
People can sign up for an appointment via the state’s Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).
“Since the pandemic began, the Town of Vernon has worked diligently to provide solutions that increase access and break down barriers to health services such as testing,” Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. “Having a vaccination clinic at Rockville General Hospital is a crucial step in our ongoing response and furthers the goal of making the vaccine accessible to eligible people from Vernon and neighboring communities.”
ECHN has been running a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Manchester Memorial Hospital for employees, community healthcare workers and first responders and is delighted to be able to expand the service to community members at Rockville General Hospital, ECHN CEO Deborah Weymouth said.
“ECHN is proud to work with the Town of Vernon to provide protection to the region with a vaccination clinic at Rockville General Hospital,” Weymouth said. “When a municipality like Vernon combines forces with a healthcare system like ECHN, the beneficiaries are the people we collectively serve. We are enthusiastic about our partnership with Vernon and the leadership provided by Mayor Champagne and his team, and are glad to join them in getting this life-saving vaccine to our community.”
Access to the clinic will be through the hospital’s main entrance. People will be screened for eligibility and should bring photo ID and their insurance card to their appointment. An appointment for the second dose of the vaccine will be made at the clinic.
The Town of Vernon is working with ECHN and providing staff for the clinic as a cooperative effort utilizing shared resources.
“Having the vaccine conveniently available to the people of our region is a significant step forward in our comprehensive and strategic response to the pandemic,” said Michael Purcaro, Vernon Town Administrator and Emergency and Risk Management Director. “And we are ready to do more. As we wait for the State to expand the eligibility list, we are building capacity here in Vernon to vaccinate more people.”
About the Town of Vernon
The Town of Vernon is a celebrated place to live, work and visit. From its beautiful parks and lakes, to its vast trails and historic homes and buildings, Vernon is a resilient and thriving community that promotes the health and wellbeing of its residents and values the natural environment. With a resident population of approximately 30,000 and occupying 18.03 square miles, Vernon combines a balanced appreciation of history, and a strong economic base for growth, both residential and commercial. Located 15 minutes east of the Connecticut capital of Hartford, and 25 miles from the City of Springfield, Massachusetts, the Town of Vernon is strategically located in “New England's Knowledge Corridor” with close proximity to some of the top colleges and universities in the country.
Recently designated as a certified Sustainable Community, the Town of Vernon offers a wide range of benefits and services to its residents. The Town of Vernon is a full-service municipality that practices a management philosophy of continuous quality improvement. To learn more about the Town of Vernon, please call (860) 870- 3670 or visit Us.
Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN)
ECHN is a community healthcare system serving 19 towns in eastern Connecticut. Its network of affiliates includes Manchester Memorial Hospital, Rockville General Hospital, Woodlake at Tolland Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, ECHN Medical Group, Women’s Center for Wellness, Visiting Nurse & Health Services of CT, Eastern Connecticut Cancer Institute, and more. Visit our website at www.echn.org for more detailed information about the health system.